Frugal Fun: Make a Birds Nest

Ever find some birds nests in your trees?  My kids love looking for birds nests and they even get to see the eggs sometimes!  If your kids enjoy the birds nests as much as mine do, they may enjoy this simple and frugal fun project.  

Have you kids collect sticks from around the backyard (front yard, park, etc.).  Make sure they get a lot of sticks in all shapes and sizes.

Once they have collected plenty of sticks (just like a momma bird would), let them make some mud!  Mix dirt with water and let them stir away to make a nice, thick texture.  

Have them mix the mud in with the sticks and form a nest shape.  Older kids will be able to do this just fine (one of my kindergarten students did the one in the above picture), but younger kids will need some help.  

Let the "nest" dry outside in the sun.  Once dry, your child can use plastic eggs, pine cones, etc. as pretend eggs for the nest!  

Winter Fun with a $0 Budget

With my husband currently unemployed, we have very little money.  I'm sure many of you are in similar positions in regards to either unemployment, cutting back, paying off debt, etc.  With no money in our wallets, it is time to get creative about the "fun" things we do with our kids (and each other).  The fact that it's winter right now posses a slight problem, as many outdoor things become difficult for families with young children.  Alas, there are still many free (or really inexpensive) and fun things that can be done, even with the cold weather.

Yesterday we took the kids to Scheels.  Scheels has so much to offer (and you can be inside and warm).  We took the kids to see the fish, upstairs to check out all the animals and the big hanging plane, back downstairs to get a free sample of fudge (we of course rode the escalator, which is always fun for kids!), and then to the kids area to play on the slide and rock wall.  The kids had a ton of fun, and it was totally free! 

Another free, fun, and indoor activity is the library.  Most all libraries have a story time for toddlers and/or preschoolers.  Check online or call your local library to find out when they have these fun times.  Note: The downtown Reno library is AWESOME.  It is older, but it is several stories high with a spiral staircase and vines hanging from the upper levels.  They hold the kids story/dancing/fun times in an enclosed theater space inside the library.  Lots of fun! 

Do you use a cash budgeting system?  If you don't you should totally give it a try-we started saving hundreds of dollars a month when we first switched to cash-only.  Anyway, if you use cash-only, you probably end up with lots of spare change at the end of the week.  Why not save your spare change for a little treat with the kids.  A soft serve ice cream at Costco, Baskin Robbins (go on $1 scoop night!), or McDonald's is quite inexpensive.  Plus, if you buy it at a McDonald's you can let your kids run around in the play place (don't forget your hand-sanitizer!). 

Can you think of any other fun and free (or inexpensive) winter activities that are great for families?  Leave your ideas in the comments section! 

Free Candy and Apples at Raley's!!!

 EXPIRED!  :(

Still need to pick up some candy for tonight?  How would you like FREE candy?  Head over to Raley's website and print two awesome coupons!  (Not a member?... Just sign up on the right of the Raley's homepage).  Once you are on the Raley's website, click on the "e-coupons" tab at the top.  You should see two coupons.  One is for a FREE 3 lb bag of apples when you bring in the coupon and your costumed child, and the other is for $5 worth of candy FREE when you bring in the coupon and your costumed child! 


Have your child dress up, print the coupon, and head out to Raley's to score these awesome deals!  We will be bringing our FREE candy to our church party tonight!

Pumpkin Patches in Reno

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  Saturday, my first born "baby" is turning 4 years old.  I can't believe how beautiful and bright this little person has become, and I cannot imagine my life without her.  Each year we go the pumpkin patch on her birthday (or the day before).  This is so much fun, and I love comparing pictures from year-to-year.

If you haven't had a chance to visit a pumpkin patch yet, I'd highly encourage it.  Many allow free entrance, and you don't even have to buy anything, so this can be a fun, free activity to do with your children.  If you live in the Reno area, there are a few choices.  The only one we've ever gone to is Ferrari Farms.  It is located on the corner of Rock and Mill.  There are animals to look at, pumpkins, gourds, hay ride ($), and a corn maze ($).  I also read that they now do pony rides ($). It runs from 9am-8pm through October 31st.  You can call 775-856-4962 for more info.  There are also two other pumpkin patches in Reno.  There is one out Pyramid, Andelin Family Farms, (cost $ to get in), and also the Toll House Pumpkin Patch on Virginia Street near Bishop Manogue.  It looks as though most of these go just through October, so head out soon!  For a little bit more info on these places, visit HERE and scroll down to "Washoe County", or HERE if you live somewhere else (scroll down and click on your state).  Have fun!